Is Havens Hospice site row finally solved?

A NEW multi-million pound hospice looks likely to join homes on the Ekco site, despite negotiators still reportedly being hundreds of thousands of pounds apart.

Havens is negotiating with Bellway Homes over part of the site.

Talks have been delayed as Bellway believed the charity should up its contribution to buy the site from landowner Aviva by as much as £400,000. However, it’s understood an agreement is expected by the summer.

The hospice plan would replace controversial proposals over siting a new £15million facility on green belt land in Leigh.

Havens has been trying to build a new hospice for years.

Fair Havens hospice, in Second Avenue, Chalkwell, is not suitable as it does not have a lift, yet most of its bedrooms are upstairs and there is a need for more beds.

A fighting fund was set up in 2010 with £2million pledged by supporters specifically for the project.

No funds were diverted from patient care, it was said.

Nigel Holdcroft, leader of Southend Council, said: “While I do not know the current position with the negotiations between Bellway and Havens, I hope that they are able to finalise an agreement and submit an appropriate planning application.”

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The new adult hospice, which would create an additional 90 paid and voluntary roles, would have significantly larger day care and treatment facilities than the current Fair Havens hospice in Second Avenue, Chalkwell.

It would still have 16 bedrooms and be surrounded by landscaped gardens to create a therapeutic environment, as was planned for the land off Belton Way West, although the gardens have had to be scaled back.

The rooms, which are likely to have balconies, may look out over the Ecko Sports Ground.

The Echo understands Havens had hoped the hospice would overlook Priory Park, opposite, but no space may be available.

The council’s town clerk called in each party in a bid to move to bring the development forward and council sources are now hopeful agreement can be reached.

Planners expect the parties, who have been locked in discussions since June, to submit a joint planning application by May or June at the latest.

A spokeswoman for Havens Hospices said: “Discussions and negotiations are ongoing.”

A Southend Council spokesman said: “Council officers have met with representatives of Bellway Homes and Havens Hospice to consider future options for the Ecko site.”

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Meanwhile, Mike King, chairman of Save Our Greenbelt, which fought the plan for a hospice off Belton Way West, said: “It’s like the end of a marathon race.

They are now in the last 100 yards. When they pass the finishing line and it’s signed and sealed we will break open the champagne.”

Exactly. This is the only sort of site that Shoebox and Shoebox Ltd. should be given access to.

Exactly. This is the only sort of site that Shoebox and Shoebox Ltd. should be given access to.Sensible Man

Exactly. This is the only sort of site that Shoebox and Shoebox Ltd. should be given access to.

Score: 4

I See It All says...7:55pm Tue 28 Jan 14

Same timescale as the Southend United stadium?

Same timescale as the Southend United stadium?I See It All

Same timescale as the Southend United stadium?

Score: 1

RobertFS says...8:15pm Tue 28 Jan 14

This company (Havens Charity - yes, charity) has wasted hundreds/thousands of pounds on finding a site for a few extra beds and a substantial amount of associated area for administration which I understand was the original plan for Belton Hills scheme. This company has alienated an unbelievable amount of previous patrons by attempting to invade Belton Hills without any justifiable reason which some believe was supported by the Salvation Army management who were looking at this project to open the door to developing the land from Leigh to Benfleet without opposition. Until the Southend project is finalised I will never, ever support Havens despite their other ideals and maybe never because they have wasted thousands of pounds (what ever they give as excuses) on an enterprise that would have been better applied to the patients. I cannot believe that the donors whose funds were specifically designated to find a suitable site for development for a long term Havens Centre for so many deserving patients would have really felt that these moneys were well spent rather than on patient care which I have and would have fully supported. No more Havens, until you apologise for the apparent abuse of funds donated by loving and caring residents from the local area let alone other areas. If you are able to explain your actions over the years and that I am completely wrong in my conclusions then I am sure that thousands would be delighted to hear from the company/charity. If you can justify your actions I will be delighted to make amends financially and laud your ethos are far as I can. Until then…………

This company (Havens Charity - yes, charity) has wasted hundreds/thousands of pounds on finding a site for a few extra beds and a substantial amount of associated area for administration which I understand was the original plan for Belton Hills scheme.
This company has alienated an unbelievable amount of previous patrons by attempting to invade Belton Hills without any justifiable reason which some believe was supported by the Salvation Army management who were looking at this project to open the door to developing the land from Leigh to Benfleet without opposition.
Until the Southend project is finalised I will never, ever support Havens despite their other ideals and maybe never because they have wasted thousands of pounds (what ever they give as excuses) on an enterprise that would have been better applied to the patients.
I cannot believe that the donors whose funds were specifically designated to find a suitable site for development for a long term Havens Centre for so many deserving patients would have really felt that these moneys were well spent rather than on patient care which I have and would have fully supported.
No more Havens, until you apologise for the apparent abuse of funds donated by loving and caring residents from the local area let alone other areas.
If you are able to explain your actions over the years and that I am completely wrong in my conclusions then I am sure that thousands would be delighted to hear from the company/charity. If you can justify your actions I will be delighted to make amends financially and laud your ethos are far as I can. Until then…………RobertFS

This company (Havens Charity - yes, charity) has wasted hundreds/thousands of pounds on finding a site for a few extra beds and a substantial amount of associated area for administration which I understand was the original plan for Belton Hills scheme. This company has alienated an unbelievable amount of previous patrons by attempting to invade Belton Hills without any justifiable reason which some believe was supported by the Salvation Army management who were looking at this project to open the door to developing the land from Leigh to Benfleet without opposition. Until the Southend project is finalised I will never, ever support Havens despite their other ideals and maybe never because they have wasted thousands of pounds (what ever they give as excuses) on an enterprise that would have been better applied to the patients. I cannot believe that the donors whose funds were specifically designated to find a suitable site for development for a long term Havens Centre for so many deserving patients would have really felt that these moneys were well spent rather than on patient care which I have and would have fully supported. No more Havens, until you apologise for the apparent abuse of funds donated by loving and caring residents from the local area let alone other areas. If you are able to explain your actions over the years and that I am completely wrong in my conclusions then I am sure that thousands would be delighted to hear from the company/charity. If you can justify your actions I will be delighted to make amends financially and laud your ethos are far as I can. Until then…………

Score: 7

keepitreal says...8:53pm Tue 28 Jan 14

Not in my back yard leigh junkies are at it again

Not in my back yard leigh junkies are at it againkeepitreal

Not in my back yard leigh junkies are at it again

Score: -1

Southchurchjon says...9:17pm Tue 28 Jan 14

A 16 bed hospice is not very big considering the level of investment.

A 16 bed hospice is not very big considering the level of investment.Southchurchjon

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